Process of treating cotton and cotton manufactures



UNITED. STATES- PATENT OFFICE.

SABURO KASHITANI, 0F IMAMIYA MAGHI, JAPAN.

PROCESS OF TREATING COTTON AND COTTON MANUFAGTURES.

No Drawing.

T 0 all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, SABURo KASI-IITANI, a subject of the Emperor of Japan, and resident of 823 Motokizu, Imamiya Machi, Nishinari Gun, Osaka F u, Empire of Japan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Processes of Treating Cotton and Cotton Manufactures, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to improvements in processes of treating cotton orcot-' ton manufactures to remove fine surface hairs or fibers, impart luster thereto and produce a soft, fine textile capable of being dyed and colored and resembling in appearance a superior quality of hemp.

In general terms the present process contemplates treating cotton and cotton manufactures with concentrated sulfuric acid to render the same amyloid, removing fine hairs or fibers from the surface of the cotton yarn by utilization of the adhesive qualities of the amyloid formed thereon, neutralizing the sulfuric acid and imparting a desirable hardness and luster thereto by subjecting the same to a bath of caustic soda solution, and treating the same with a water solution of borax to prevent damage thereto attributable to the action of acid and to render the same fireproof, and producing a pleasing softness, and texture by treatment of the cotton or cotton manufactures with a solution of glycerin.

It is conceded that separate anddistinct processes have heretofore been known for treating textiles with concentrated sulfuric acid, neutralizing acid by means of caustic soda and rendering fabric fireproof by submersion in a water-solution of borax as suggested by Doebereiner and Gay 'Lussac, but the method of removing the amyloid and consequently fine hairs and fibers from cotton and cotton manufactures and treating the same to produce a textile of the character disclosed hereafter is believed to be a great improvement in the art to which this invention appertains.

Furthermore the present process chemically changes the original textile instead of subjecting the same to a mere aggregation of mechanical operations to produce the desired result, thus facilitating and expediting render the same fireproofi Specification of Letters Patent. Patented N 23, 1920,

Application filed December 10, 1918. Serial No. 266,122. I

the manufacture of the product and greatly which isat present preferred, since the same has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various steps of which the process consists can be differently arranged and organized, and such chemicals as'have alternatives, can be used provided such departures from the precise disclosure fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims as appended hereunto.

In order that the process will be clearly defined in the mind of one skilled in the art to which the invention appertains the fol lowing major steps or operations are outlined.

1. The cotton or cotton manufacture is subjected to a bath in 52 degrees Baum to 60 degrees Baum concentrated sulfuric acid and allowed to remain therein from one to fifteen minutes according to the degrees of refining and the size of the yarn, whereupon it is removed from. the bath and washed in water to remove as much of the acid as is possible. Y

2. The fabric or yarn, as the case may be, is then stretched and. beaten to open or distend the meshes or fibers to remove the amyloid therefrom and as the amyloid is adhesive the fine hairs or fibers will also be removed from surface thereof.

3. The whole is then dip ed in an 8 degrees Baum to 15 degrees aum solution of caustic soda for ten or twenty minutes to neutralize the action and prevent the discoloring effect of the sulfuric acid, to impart suitable ha'rdness'thereto, and to produce a certain luster on the textile, whereupon the same is thoroughly washed in water.

4. Thefabric or yarn is then treated with a 3 per cent. water solution of borax to absolutely neutralize the free acid and t 5. The same is dlpped in a 5 per cent.

superior quality of hemp and may he readily dyed or in the case of yarn may be woven or knitted into cloth or other fabrics.

' Furthermore when it is desired to render the same waterproof it may as treated with aluminum acetate or other chemical which will in no way decrease its utility or 34p earance.

n connection with the sulfuric acid bath as described in the first step or operation it is pointed out that some discretion must be usedas to the strength of the solution and the duration of the bath. as a high concentration of acid or a too lengthy path may convert .the whole yarn or fabric to amyloid. while the desired result is similar to that which is obtained by a mechanical process such as gassing the yarn or fabric. Furthermore the proper treatment with sulfuric acid effects a very slight chemical change in the cotton other than amyloidization which makes it possible to remove the amyioid and fine hairs and fibers easily and with the dehairs and fibers.

sired results.

In order to more clearly define the second step or operation the following simple experiment is suggested: Treat a piece of cotton goods with sulfuric acid as above described and thoroughly wash the same in water, whereupon stretch the same with the hands until the meshes are opened or enlarged thus loosening and permitting the amyloid between the strands. to he removed by beating or shaking along with the tine In the case or varn or strands of cotton the desired result may also be obtained by combing. Furthermore it is stated that when cotton has been so treated the fibers of the cottoni yarn contract and have the appearance of being double-folded or tightened. while similar treatment of cotton manufactures or fabrics such as knitted goods or the like enlarges the meshes to improve ventilation and to produce when handled a pleasant sound.

Relative to the application of the fifth step or operation as above outlined. namely the glycerin bath, it is stated that alterna' tives for the solution of glycerin may be used if desired and these have oeen found :norougmv lcqllalnt one Skilled in the art "in its operation and advantages. I claim-- flie aereinbefore describedi process of creating cotton or cotton manufactures con- 15131112 in supiecting the same to an acid ath. distention and agitation. a neutralizing am for the acid. l further neutralizing math for the acid and to substantially fireroot the same. and dipping the same into oath to render the resulting product soft ind pleasing to the touch.

The aereinbefore described process of I'QRLIDL cotton or cotton manufactures consting 1n suoiecting the same successively 0 an acid bath. to mechanical distention and igitation. to a neutralizing bath for the acid, to a :urther neutralizing bath for the acid ind to render the same substantially liret-rooI. and dipping the same into a glycerin ath to render it sort and pleasing to the :ouch.

. lhe aereinber'ore described process of IQaBIIIE cotton or cotton manufactures con- -isting 1n supiecting the same successively .0 a sulfuric acid bath. to mechanical distenton and agitation. to a caustic soda bath. to t oath in a solution or borax and to a bath :1 a solution or glycerin for the purposes \EE Iorth.

fhe .iereinher'ore described process of 'reating cotton or otton manufactures con- -isting 1n supiecting the same successively "o a oath in 32 degrees Baum to 60 degrees Saume wncentrated sulfuric acid. to mehanicai. distention and agitation. to a. bath :1 6 degrees liaume to 15 degrees Bauin :OlllElOI] of caustic soda. to a bath in a 3 de- IIQES iiaume solution or borax and to a bath n a a per cent. solution of glycerin for the AlIDOSGS set iortli.

The aereinbefore described process of "mating wtton or cotton manufactures con- :ISEIILQ 1n sup 'ecting the same successively to submersion from one to ten minutes in a tath of 32 degrees Baum to 60 degrees Eaume concentrated sulfuric acid to render I16 same amvioid. mechanically distending, igitating and beating thesame to remove I18 amvloid and the tine hairs and fibers. a iath of ten to twenty minutes duration in an degree Baume to 15 degrees Baum soluiion of caustic soda to neutralize the sul iuric acid. a treatment with a 3. per cent. ioueous solution of borax to complete neu- :ranzation and render the same fire resist- .112. and finally dipping the product ina 5 ver cent. solution or glycerin to render it pit and pleasing to the touch.

; testimony whereof I affix my signature ;eret0.

sBURO KASHITANI. 

